“It always seems to me that if the Council leads this discussion, it’s like we want to be the mayor,” said Reeves, who eventually voted in favor of the measure, saying he supported discussion on the matter.
But those voting in opposition expressed other concerns.
Murphy said many practical issues remained unresolved, including whether mayoral candidates would also be permitted to run for a seat on the Council.
“Is it one or the other?” Murphy asked during the meeting.
Partly answering this question, Gallucio said the committee established by the measure would address these issues.
As the Council approached a vote last night, more than three hours into its weekly meeting, the opposition failed in a motion to divide the measure into two votes, one for the establishment of a committee and another for the drafting, “if necessary,” of legislation to adopt democratic mayoral elections.
—Staff writer Zachary M. Seward can be reached at seward@fas.harvard.edu.